Hand clamp



Dec. l, 1959 E. M'ooNEY HAND CLAMP Filed April s, 1957 United States2,915,096 HAND CLAMP Edward Mooney, Venice, Calif.

Application April 8, 1957, Serial No. 651,299 2 Claims. (Cl. 144-29'7)The present invention relates to general service hand clamps or visesfor use in Workshops, machine shops and the like; and which are utilized`to hold a plurality of work pieces together while operations are beingperformed on them.

There has been a growing need in recent years for suitable hand clampswhich are appropriate for holding smaller pieces of work together. Thatis, there is at present a need for a hand clamp which is simple andrapid to operate, and which is constructed with such a conguration thatit will not be in the way of the operations being performed on vtheclamped work.

The need for such hand clamps is demonstrated by the growing accidentrate in home workshops in particular, and also in industry in general.As more and more home workshops are being equipped with power tools ofincreasing complexity, it is becoming more and more necessary to reducedthe likelihood of accidents resulting from the useof such tools. A largeproportion of the accidents that do occur are a direct result of the useof these tools with work that is not properly clamped or which is notclamped at all.

lt is believed that the reason'in the past why even seasoned mechanics,often did not bother to properly clamp work being yoperated on was dueto the lack of appropriate hand clamps. The prior art clamps were forthejmost part awkward to operate, and they were cumbersome andcontinually got in the Way of the operations being performed on thework. This led even experienced workmen to be often tempted to hold thework in their hands while it was being processed. This, of course,provided a very prevalent ,source of accidents.

As noted above, most prior art hand clamps Vfor thesrnall work pieceswere clumsy to handle, and their inadequate design and conguration wassuch that their body portions impaired drilling or other operationswhich were attempted to be performed on the clamped work. This conditionprevailed because it was usual in such prior art clamps for the bodyportion of the clamp to extend essentially perpendicular to the plane ofthe `clamped work. This 4not only created an obstruction for theoperations being performed on the work, but it also impaired theconvenient leveling and setup of the work.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a hand clamp ofimproved construction in which the body portion of the clamp lextendsessentially in the plane of the clamped work pieces away Yfrom an endfree of these pieces. This allows tools to run in an unobstructed mannerright up to the side of the clamping jaws of the clamp. A degree offreedom is therefore provided that is unobtainable with .most prior artclamps. This configuration of the clamp of the invention also -providesa minimum obstruction under the clamped Work pieces, and they can bemoved freely over the surface 'of the supporting table for theparticular power tool being .used at that particular time.

Another feature .of the improved hand clamp of the 2,915,996 FederatedDec. 1, 1959 invention is that the clamped work does not tend to cock ortwist as the clamp is being tightened against the work. This is becausethe center line of the clamp of ythe invention, as noted above, extendsin essentially uni-planar relation with the plane of the clamped work.This means that all the torque produced by the clamp is about an axisvat which it is impossible for the various clamped work pieces yto turnwith respect to one another.

The clamp of the invention is constructed in one embodiment so that bothits jaws are movable in unison from zero to maximum opening. Moreover,the clamp is constructed to exert its greatest clamping pressure as itsjaws approach maximum opening. The former feature provides for a wideadjustment of the clamp, and the latter vfeature pro-vides for a strongclamping action for large jaw openings where it is most needed. This, in

' effect, doubles the capacity and rangeof the clamp as compared withprior art hand clamps in general. An important result owing from thisparticular feature is that for any vrange of operations, only half thenumber of clamps constructed in accordance with the present inventionneed be used as corn-pared with the usual type of prior art hand clamps.

Another important feature of the present invention is the fact thatthereis no turning exerted on the clamping pads of the hand clamp as it isbeing clamped into position. This eliminates any galling or damage tonished Work with which the clamp may be used, and the pads lendthemselves to quick slip for rapid removal of the clamp.

The impgroyed clamp of the invention alsov utilizes operating jaws ofchannel-like cross section. This provides` for an extremely rigid andstrong construction without an accompanying excessively large weight.Moreover, the pressure exerted by the jaws on the clamp pads is soexerted at diatmetrically opposite po-ints near the outerrims of thepads. Hr'his insures against pivoting of the pads on the clamped workpieces and thereby precludes the likelihood of damage to the clampedwork.

Also, .the operating jaws of the illustrated embodiment of the presentclamp are pivottally supported on respective pivot pins inl a rigidframe. This frame is such that it embraces the jaws and serves toeliminate torsion or twist of these members as the unit is clamped aboutthe supported work pieces. Respective retainer springs extend along theinner portions of the jaw member, and these springs serve to bias thejaws in an-open direction.

The improved clamp of the invention is also constructed to include athreaded eye-bolt. This eye-bolt extends along .the center line-of theclamp through the frame referred to in the preceding paragraph. Thiseyebolt is coupled to the jaws of the clamp in a manner to be described,and it is slidably movable reciprocally within the frame to open andclose the jaws. A balanced, rim-weighted, rapid-spin control knob isthreaded to the eye-bolt externally `of the frame, and .this knob servesto provide the desired clamping action of the assembly.

Rapid action of the clamp may be achieved by manually closing its jawsover the work pieces that are to be clamped, and then vby spinning theknob into position Quick removalof the clamp is possible merely byspinning the' knob to its outer position. In a constructed embodiment ofthe hand clamp, the rapid spin action described abovewas found to alorda rapid adjustment of the clamp from zero to full yopening in less thantwo seconds.

Because of the constructional features described in the precedingparagraph, the hand clamp of the invention is eminently suited foraccomplishing its intended purpose. clamped into position by anexceedingly rapid and simin the manner described, the clamp may lbel pleoperation. While it is in position, it provides a minimum obstructionfor the operations being performed on the clamped work pieces. lTheseand the other described features of the invention are such thatmechanics and hobbyists are encouraged properly to clamp the work theyare using and thereby prevent accidents.

The clamp of the invention is simple and economical to construct becauseit lends itself to simple prefabrication techniques. The channel shapeof the jaws permits light weight materials to be used without impairingthe strength of the assembly. All the necessary cornponents may beconveniently assembled by means of blanking dies and forming dies, andthe need for welding or other less eicient or satisfactory fabricatingmethods is obviated.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description, particularly when taken inconnection with the `accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side view partly in section, showing in full scale theconstructional details of one embodiment of the improved hand clamp orvise of the present invention, this View showing the jaws of the clampin an open position;

Figure 2 is an end view of the clamp of Figure 1 with the jaws,likewise, in an open position;

Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the improved clamp of theinvention, and this view is similar to the view of Figure l but with thejaws of the clamp closed and clamped down on a pair of supported workpieces;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of a frame which forms an importantcomponent of the illustrated embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an eye-bolt assembly which also formsan important component of the invention.

With reference to the drawings, the improved hand clamp of the presentinvention includes a frame which is shown, for example, in Figure 4. Theframe 10 includes a pair of parallel side walls 12 and 14, and it alsoincludes a central section 16. The section 16 has an aperture extendingthrough it which is coaxial with the center line of the clamp. A bushing18 is swedged into the aperture of the section 16. This bushing may beintegral with the frame 1 0 if so desired.

An eye-bolt 20 (Figure 5) extends through the bushing 18, and theeye-bolt is slidable in the bushing for rectilinearreciprocal motionwith respect to the frame 10 along the center line of the clamp. Theeye-bo1t 20 has a threaded portion protruding from the bushing 1S andout from the frame lil. A control knob 22 is threaded to this protrudingportion of the eye-bolt 20. The knob 22 is preferably a balancedrim-Weighted knob, as noted previously, for rapid spin on the eye-bolt.

The clamp includes a pair of jaw members 24 and 26, each having achannel-shaped cross section. Each of the jaw members has an actuatingend and a clamping end. The respective actuating ends of the jaw membersare turned over as at 28 and 30 so as to form a complete enclosure forthese ends.

The jaw member 24 is pivotally mounted to the frame.

10 on one side of the center line of the clamp by means of a pin 32. Thepin 32 extends through a pair of aligned holes in the jaw 24 at a pointintermediate the ends of the jaw, and this pin also extends through apair of aligned apertures 34 and 36 in the side Walls 12 and 14 of theframe 10 (Figure 4).

Likewise, the jaw 26 is pivotally mounted to the frame 1t) on theopposite side of the center line of the clamp from the jaw 24. The jawmember `26 is so mounted bya pivot pin 38. This pin extends throughaligned openings in the jaw member 26 and through a pair of alignedapertures 40 and 42 (Figure 4) in the side walls 12 and 14 of the frame10. It will be observed that' the jaw members extend into the frame 10between the side walls 12 and 14 and are rigidly held by the side wallsso as to prevent torsion or twist of the jaw members as they are clampeddown on the supported work.

A rod-like transverse member 44 extends through the end portion of theeye-bolt 2) (Figure 5). This member 44 is held in place in the eye-boltby a series of turned-up ears 46 in its periphery, which ears engageopposite sides of the eye-bolt. The opposite ends of the transverse rod44 extend into the enclosures formed by the portions 2S and 34) at therespective actuating ends of the jaw members 24 and 26. The transverserod is in loose iit with these actuating ends of jaw members to providean essentially toggle engagement. This permits the transverse member 44to pivot the jaw members 24 and 26 in a direction to close them as theeyebolt is moved to the left in Figure 1, and it enables the jaws 24 and26 to be opened when the eye-bolt is moved to the right in Figure l.

The frame 10 has a bent-over portion 50 at the end of its side wall 14,and the side wall 12 has a bent-over portion 52 in its edge. Theseportions are best shown in Figure 4. A iirst resilient coil spring 54 iswound about the pivot pin 32 within the jaw 24. One end of this springis turned over the portion 50, and the other end of the spring bearsagainst the inner surface of the jaw 24. The spring 54 tends to bias thejaw 24 in a counter clockwise direction in Figure 1 with respect to theframe 10.

A second spring S6 is coiled about the pin 38. One

i end of this second spring is turned over the portion 52 of the frame10, and the other end of this second spring bears against the innersurface of the jaw 26. The spring S6 tends to rotate the jaw 26 in aclockwise direction with respect to the frame 10 about the pin 38. Theportions 50 and 52 additionally serve to limit the opening of the jaws24 and 26 of the clamp. In their maximum open position, the inner edgesof the jaws bear against these portions, as shown most clearly in Figurel.

The frame 10 and the jaws 24 and 26 may be composed of a suitablematerial such as steel, as may the other components of the clamp asdescribed above. A clamp pad 60 is pivoted to the clamped end of the jawmember 24, and a clamp pad 62 is pivoted to the clamping end of the jawmember 26. These clamp pads, for example, may be composed of semi-softsteel.

The edge of the jaw member 24 engages the top surface of the pad 60 attwo diametrically opposite positions so that the pad 60 is firmlybrought into engagement with the clamped work. Likewise, the jaw member26 engages the clamp pad 62 at diametrically opposite positions on itsupper surface so that this latter pad is firmly andl positively broughtinto a clamping position. As noted above, this insures against pivotingof the pads on the clamped work with resulting damage to the work.

The clamp is shown in Figure 3 as clamping a work piece 65 against awork piece 67. It will be seen that the center line of the clamp extendsin uni-planar relation with the plane of the clamped work piece. Thatis, the center line extends away from the work piece in essentially thesame plane as the work, rather than upwardly from the work pieces inperpendicular relation as is the case with most prior art clamps. Thisprovides for the body portion of the clamp to extend free of the workand out of the way of any drilling or other operations to be pen formedon the work. Moreover, with this configuration, there is no tendency toturn the work piece 65 with respect to the work piece 67 when the clampis clamped into position.

An examination of the illustrated embodiment of the invention willreveal that both the jaws 24 and 26 are moved as the clamp is adjusted,rather than having but one movable jaw. This provides for a rapidadjustment through a wide range of clamping positions. Moreover, it willbe observed that the leverage of the transverse member 44 with respectto the jaw members 24 and 26 is such that maximum leverage is exerted asthe jaws reach their maximum positions. This provides the greatestclamping action for the Wider jaw positions, as is desired.

Moreover, neither of the clamp pads 60 or 62 turn as the clamp isclamped into position so that the likelihood of galling or other damageto the support Work is minimized. Also, as is evident from Figure 3, thejaws 24 and 26 of the clamp may be closed over the work pieces, and thenthe handle 22 may be spun into position for rapid action.

The invention provides, therefore, an improved hand clamp or vise thatis relatively simple and economical to produce. The hand clamp of theinvention is advantageous in that it is light a'nd convenient to use,and it is capable of the most rapid and powerful clamping action. Inaddition the clamp is constructed so that it does not obstructoperations to be performed on the clamped work, or tend to damage thework.

I claim:

1. A clamping assembly including: a frame having a pair of esseniallyparallel side walls and having an apertured central section, an eye-boltextendin-g through said apertured central section in sliding relationwith said frame for reciprocal rectilinear sliding motion with respectto said frame, said eye-bolt having a threaded portion protruding fromsaid frame, a pair of channelshaped jaw members, means for pivoting saidjaw members between said parallel side walls of said frame on oppositesides of the line of motion of said eye-bolt, said jaw members beingeach so pivoted at a point intermediate the respective extremitiesthereof and each having an actuating end with a turned over portion anda clamping end, a rigid rod-like transverse member affixed to andextending through the end of said eye-bolt perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis of the eye-bolt andinto said turned over portion ofthe actuating end of each of said jaw members in toggle relationtherewith, and a control knob 6 threaded to said protruding threadedportion of said eyebolt.

2. A clamping assemblyincludin-g: a frame having a pair of essentiallyparallel side walls and having an apertured central section, an eye-boltextending through said apertured central section in sliding relationwith said frame for reciprocal rectilinear sliding motion with respectto said frame, said eye-bolt having a threaded portion protruding fromsaid frame, a pair of channel-shaped jaw members, means including a pairof pivot pins extending through said side walls of said frame forpivotally mounting said jaw members between said parallel side walls onopposite sides of the line of motion of said eye-bolt, said jaw membersbeing each so pivoted at a point intermediate the respective extremitiesthereof and each having an actuating end with a turned over portion anda clamping end, a pair of biasing springs respectively coiled aroundrespective ones of said pivot pins and each of said springs engagingsaidfframe and a corresponding one of said jaw members for biasing saidjaw members to an open position, a rigid rod-like transfer vmemberaffixed to and extending through the end of said eye-bolt at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of the eye-bolt andI into said turnedover portion of the actuating end of each of said jaw members in togglerelation therewith, a control knob threaded to said protruding threadedportion of said eye-bolt, and a pair of clamp pads respectively pivotedto the clamping ends of said jaw members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS225,000 Dickson Mar. 2, 1880 297,981 Francis May 6, 1884 848,036 KrugerMar. 26, 1907 2,197,310 Lincoln Apr. 16, 1940 2,432,139 Crowley Dec. 9,1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 443,555 Italy Dec. 27, 1948

